The Minister will be aware of the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last week showing the horrific abuse of horses. I welcome the shutdown of the abattoir and the investigation that is now under way. However, many of us will still remember the horrific abuse of calves that was witnessed on "RTÉ Investigates" last year. I have been seeking updates on that investigation and I was informed this morning that they are still gathering evidence nearly a year later. If that is the length of time investigations take, how long will we be waiting for the investigation now under way on the horrific abuse of horses we saw last week?

I can reassure Deputy Kerrane the Department of agriculture takes the issue of animal welfare, for which it has responsibility for, extremely seriously. While we cannot reference or specifically refer to individual cases that may be before the courts or are likely to be before the courts in the future, in terms of the overall approach to welfare, we are all horrified by the scenes we saw on the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last week. I commend RTÉ on the work it did in highlighting that specific case. A very active investigation is happening at the minute.

In terms of calf welfare, a huge number of processes and different measures are in place including significant funding streams to support that sector. It is something we take really seriously and will continue to do into the future.